Fast bowler explains why captain Root chose to knock on Wood in…

Daily Mail UK – Mark Wood emerged from a chastening experience in Hamilton reassured that he is being primed for a lead role in England’s long-term future.

Summary

Mark Wood emerged from a chastening experience in Hamilton reassured that he is being primed for a lead role in England’s long-term future.

Wood conceded more than four-an-over at Seddon Park, where centuries from New Zealand Test discard Tom Blundell and unheralded tailender Kyle Jamieson gave England the runaround on day one of their pink-ball warm-up match.

Yet England’s fastest bowler knew even before start of play that his standing is high with captain Joe Root, who informed him the previous evening that he would take the new ball alongside James Anderson.

Root therefore identified a relatively low-key occasion to deploy Wood with the new ball – so that when the time eventually comes, England will not be shoe-horning him into a key role to which he is unaccustomed.

“I know there’s a few of bowlers who’ve got a couple of niggles for this game, so this was a chance for me to put my name in the hat,” said Wood, who struggled particularly when he switched ends.